BOSTON — If you’re thinking first-year Nuggets coach Brian Shaw might see some sentimental value in coaching his first game against the team he was drafted to play for all those years ago, think again.

Shaw shook his head before the full question was even asked.

“Nothing at all,” Shaw said. “It won’t mean anything.”

He paused.

“It was 1991 the last time I played in Boston,” Shaw said. “So, I’ve been there for two different Finals — in 2008 and 2010 — played there a number of times over the years. It’s absolutely just another game.”

And, he played for the Celtics just two-plus seasons. In his career he played more years for the Los Angeles Lakers than any other team. Nevertheless, he’ll likely be deluged by media Friday when the Nuggets play here, some of whom will remember the skinny kid from UC Santa Barbara who was drafted by the Celtics 24th overall in 1988. Shaw’s most productive NBA seasons came with the Celtics, for whom he averaged 11.1 points and 6.5 assists.

Shaw’s focus is not reliving the start of his playing career, but getting his Nuggets back on track after they dropped a 10-point decision in Cleveland on Wednesday night.

Shaw will ask for a more energized performance. The Nuggets appeared sluggish Wednesday in what was the second game of a back-to-back and had their seven-game winning streak snapped.

Thursday’s off day figured to do the team some good.

“A day off is always good, but we’re not going to use any excuses,” Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson said. “We’re going to be a no-excuse team. We know where (Wednesday’s) game was lost, and we’re going to get back to the drawing board and try to get back to seven, eight, nine, 10, keep the streak going. We play Boston, so we’re looking to get one back.”

The Nuggets are 2-1 on the road trip and have won 10 of their past 13 games.

Nuggets guard Ty Lawson is looking to rebound from perhaps his worst showing of the season. He was 1-for-13 from the field and scored four points against Cleveland. He did have 11 assists.

His main concern, however, is winning.

“I wish we could have kept the steak going, but we’ve got another game in Boston,” Lawson said. “We can pick it right back up, hopefully get a win and finish the road trip strong.”

DENVER AT BOSTON5:30 p.m. Friday, Alt2, ESPN; 950 AM

Spotlight on Jeff Green: A huge turnover in talent, featuring the departure of stars Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry, has vaulted Green into a lead role with the Celtics. He’s played the part well, with averages of 16.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He’s playing 34.1 minutes per game. Green has been even better of late, averaging 23.3 points in his past four games.

NOTEBOOK

Nuggets: Nate Robinson’s recent hot streak has earned him more playing time at the expense of Evan Fournier. Fournier has played fewer than seven minutes in each of the past six games after averaging 14.8 minutes in his first 12 games. “Right now I’m still trying to get him out there so that he can develop,” Nuggets coach Brian Shaw said. “If somebody else isn’t going well, he’ll get an opportunity to go out there, but right now the guys that are playing in front of him are preventing him from getting out there as much.”

Celtics: Boston is playing without guard Rajon Rondo (ACL injury, right knee) and has been for the entire season. The Celtics also will be without rookie center Kelly Olynyk, who is out with a right ankle sprain. … The Celtics have won four of their past six games, including consecutive home games.

EDMONTON, Alberta — In two games since returning from an eight-game injury absence, Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has four points, including a goal, and multiple shots off the post or crossbar. The 22-year-old has undoubtedly re-proven that he is the Avs’ most valuable player — the player they must have in the lineup to make a legitimate playoff push.